Orleans Parish Power Outage History
2014–2025 · Louisiana
Bottom 20% least reliable nationally — frequent and/or long outages. How grades are calculated
Outages by year
Outages by month (seasonality)
Worst outage events on record
| Date | Duration | Customers affected | Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 30, 2021 | 195 hrs | 181,040 (85%) | Tropical Storm Ida |
| Aug 29, 2021 | 18 hrs | 177,904 (84%) | Tropical Storm Ida |
| Aug 30, 2021 | 1 hrs | 177,298 (83%) | Tropical Storm Ida |
| Oct 28, 2020 | 28 hrs | 160,779 (76%) | Unnamed event |
| Aug 29, 2021 | 13 hrs | 147,721 (69%) | Tropical Storm Ida |
Over the 12 years from 2014 to 2025, Orleans Parish recorded 3,934 distinct power outage events, averaging 2.4 hours per event.
The single worst outage on record in Orleans Parish started August 30, 2021 (Tropical Storm Ida), lasting 195 hours and leaving up to 181,040 customers without power (85% of the county) at its peak.
June has historically been the worst month for outages in Orleans Parish, with 415 events recorded during that month across the dataset.
Based on this history, Orleans Parish earns a Reliability Grade of F, placing it in the 3rd percentile nationally for grid reliability (higher percentile = more reliable).
Sized for Orleans Parish's outage profile
See more picks in our Best Dual-Fuel Portable Generators for Power Outages roundup.
Champion Power Equipment 4375-Watt Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Generator with Free 3-Year Warranty
Outage-prep kit
See our outage-prep guides or the Louisiana storm prep checklist.
Similar counties in Louisiana
Counties with the closest reliability grade and national percentile to Orleans Parish.
| County | Grade | National percentile |
|---|---|---|
| St. Bernard Parish | F | 3rd |
| Assumption Parish | F | 3rd |
| Union Parish | F | 3rd |
| Vernon Parish | F | 2nd |
| Ascension Parish | F | 2nd |
FAQ
How often does power go out in Orleans Parish?
Between 2014 and 2025, Orleans Parish recorded 3,934 outage events, averaging 2.4 hours each.
What is Orleans Parish's reliability grade?
Orleans Parish has a Reliability Grade of F, in the 3rd national percentile.
What was the worst power outage in Orleans Parish?
The worst outage on record started August 30, 2021 (Tropical Storm Ida), lasting 195 hours and affecting up to 181,040 customers.